K-State booths open eyes

Open house draws 20,000 visitors.

MANHATTAN -- Die-hard Kansas State University boosters know in their hearts that school mascot Willie the Wildcat is a wild and unique creature, if there ever was one.

But not even the incomparable Willie could compete with the exotic critters that appeared on campus Saturday, compliments of veterinarian Rob Coke's illustrated lecture on exotic pet species -- all 25,000 of them.

Coke's presentation was one of dozens of educational events that marked KSU's 79th annual All-University Open House. "The average veterinary practitioner would treat and care for eight common animal species, like your dogs and cats," Coke said. "The rest of us get all the other species -- all the creepy, crawly, squiggly things you've heard about."

Coke, who is a visiting KSU exotic animal intern, acknowledged that he has been called upon by pet owners to re-attach lost legs to scorpions and tarantulas, among other critters.

The west Texas native also has learned how to repair holes in the shells of pet turtles, sometimes with a dab of the same super-strength glue found in many kitchens.

Coke also told his audience that turtles can be a cheap substitute for goats in keeping pasture grass well manicured, the natural way.

"You think goats can eat grass," Coke said. "Just put a herd of tortoises in your pasture, and they'll get the grass down to the mud real quick."

Coke, who received a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Texas A&M University, said he once owned a total of 240 pets, mostly lizards and snakes.

Coke's current roster of pets includes two genet birds named Osiris and Isis, and a selection of snake specimens, including the Australian python.

"I don't have dogs anymore, and my ex-wife took the cats," Coke said. "The Australian python is kind of my focus, but these are the small guys, only about three feet, four feet. Kind of small."

Other Open House events at the College of Veterinary Medicine included a seminar featuring search-and-rescue dogs in action and a demonstration of how acupuncture can erase the pain of ailing dogs and cats.

At the College of Business Administration, KSU students helped visitors design their own Internet Web sites and personalized business cards.

At the College of Human Ecology's outdoor demonstration area at Justin Hall, students wielding chain saws carved crystal swans out of 300-pound blocks of ice.

Nearby, architects in-training entertained visitors with examples of sand castle art at the exhibit sponsored by the College of Architecture, Planning and Design.

A popular late-morning spot for children proved to be 101 Bluemont Hall, where College of Education puppeteers presented Overland Park senior Jason Coats' play about coping with learning disabilities.

KSU officials estimated about 20,000 visitors took in this year's Open House, which was originated by the College of Engineering in 1922.